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home, for example, try to keep your job if at all possible. Continue to participate in the leisure activities you enjoyed before your loved one became ill. Accept offers of help from others, including family members, friends, respite workers, and volunteers.

What You Can Do to Help a Caregiver

As a friend or relative of a caregiver, you can do many things to help make the person’s job easier. Although the following actions are relatively simple, they can have a profound, positive impact on a caregiver’s day.

• Keep in touch. Call or visit the caregiver as often as you can. Caregivers often feel isolated, and it can be a great relief to talk with friends or relatives.

• Offer to help. Ask the caregiver what he or she would like you to do. Because many caregivers are reluctant to ask others for help, you may need to be persistent.

• Be a good listener. It is important for caregivers to discuss their feelings and concerns, and doing so can often help relieve stress and anxiety. Let the caregiver know that you are available if he or she needs to talk.

Many people find comfort in sharing their experiences with others in support groups. In such groups, people share their concerns about caregiving or about a specific illness such as diabetes, cancer, or Alzheimer’s disease. Consult your local hospital for information about groups in your area. Your doctor or other members of your health care team also may be able to recommend a support group. The Internet also is a good place to look for a support group that will meet your needs. If you cannot find a support group in your area, consider starting your own.

PART FOUR

What Are Your Symptoms?

How to Use the Self-Diagnosis Symptoms Charts

The charts in this section are designed to help you find the possible cause (or causes) of a symptom you have. Through a series of questions and answers, you are led to a possible diagnosis or to other charts or articles in this book. You also may be advised to see a doctor or to go immediately to a hospital emergency department.

To use the charts:

• Find the symptoms chart you want by consulting the Chart-Finder Index on the next page.

• Turn to the chart and read the description of the symptom under the chart title to be sure it’s the chart you need.

• Always start each chart with the beginning question.

• Follow the YES and NO answer paths all the way through to the diagnosis or other instructions.

• Except in emergencies, make sure that you read all the cross-references to get as much information as possible.

• For a definite diagnosis and for treatment, always see a doctor.

How to Find the Chart You Need

The index below directs you to the page number of the chart that deals with your symptom. To find the chart you want, follow these steps:

1. Single out your major symptom. If you have two or more symptoms (such as a high fever, a cough, and a runny nose), determine which one bothers you the most.

2. Look for the symptom in the Chart-Finder Index below and on the next page. The charts are listed in the index by key words. For example, difficulty sleeping is listed under both “Difficulty sleeping” and “Sleeping difficulty.”

3. If you can’t find your main symptom in the index, look for a chart that deals with another symptom you have.

4. When you find the correct chart in the index, go to the page indicated and answer the questions on the chart to find the cause of your symptoms. A detailed explanation of how to use the charts is on the previous page.

Chart-Finder Index

Abdomen, swollen

Abdominal pain

see also Abdominal pain in children

see also Abdominal pain, recurring

Abnormal hair growth in women

Abnormal-looking bowel movements

Abnormal-looking stools

Abnormal-looking urine

Abnormal vaginal discharge

Abnormally frequent urination

Absentmindedness

Absent periods

Ankles, painful

Ankles, swollen

Anxiety

Arm, painful

Backache

Bad breath

Balance, loss of

Baldness

Behavior, unusual

Belching

Bladder control, lack